Thailand defends border clash in rebuttal to Cambodia’s UN complaint

Thailand has firmly rebutted Cambodia’s claims made in its recent letter to the United Nations Secretary General, stating that in the May 28 border clash, Cambodian troops fired first and Thai forces were compelled to act in self-defence, in full conformity with international law and established practices.

Thailand’s letter to the UN Secretary-General, dated June 19, also refers to the recent deployment of Cambodian troops and activities that altered the terrain in the disputed area, acts it considered violations of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed by both countries on June 14, 2000.

The letter, signed by Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, was issued in response to a letter from his Cambodian counterpart, Chhea Keo, who submitted a report on the ongoing border tension to the UN, requesting that it be included as a document for the UN General Assembly, on the prevention of armed conflict agenda.

Cherdchai states that Thailand’s letter is intended to outline the facts, reaffirm the country’s consistent position on boundary issues and detail the steps taken to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue.

In Chhea Keo’s letter, he alleged that, on May 28, Thai military forces opened fire on a Cambodian army unit, stationed inside Cambodia’s sovereign territory in the Mom Bei area, resulting in the tragic loss of a Cambodian soldier.

In response, Cherdchai explains that the clash occurred in the Chong Bok area of Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, during routine patrols by Thai troops within Thai sovereign territory, in accordance with longstanding practices.

“In response to the unprovoked shooting by Cambodian troops into Thai territory, Thai forces were compelled to take proportionate and appropriate measures in self-defence, in full conformity with international law and established international practices,” he stated.

He added that the actions of Cambodian troops clearly constituted a violation of Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Moreover, the Cambodian side attempted to alter borderlines, an act that directly violates the 2000 MoU, which stipulates that neither side shall undertake any activity that changes the environment of the frontier zone.

Chhea Keo said In the aftermath, thousands of heavily armed troops were deployed on both sides of the border, raising fears of a renewed large-scale conflict, reminiscent of the hostilities between 2008 and 2011.

Such an escalation, Chhea Keo noted, poses a grave threat to not only both nations but to peace, security and stability in the broader region as well.

Cherdchai also reiterated that the Cambodian Government’s decision to submit the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was not made in good faith and undermines the ongoing work of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC), which most recently convened in June.

Thailand remains firmly committed to resolving its differences with Cambodia through peaceful dialogue, in good faith and in the spirit of good neighbourliness, ASEAN solidarity and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

Cherdchai stressed that, like the majority of UN Member States, the Thai Government does not accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ.

In its letter to the UN, Cambodia justified its submission by citing what it described as a threat from Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Commander of Thai Military Region 2, whom it said vowed to resolve the dispute by force and described as an example of a pattern of unfriendly behaviour.

Boonsin has denied the claim.

Another deeply worrying development, the Cambodian letter notes, is the rise of extreme nationalist sentiment, fuelled by irresponsible remarks from certain Thai military and political figures, which risks inciting ethnic hatred or even conflict.